How BMW Motorcycles Got Saved - The R90S

I'm reading a nice article in the Airhead Airmail of an interview with Bob Lutz. It seems that while the introduction of the /5 was a shot in the arm for BMW, it was quickly beaten back by the release of the Honda 750-4. It had more horsepower, was cheaper, and could also be used as a tourer. Enter Bob Lutz, who along with Hans Muth and others, brought out the 900cc R90S. We of course know what that model did in the Superbike series!!

Here's a couple of links that have the basic story...depending on website, you might prefer one over the other:

BMW Motorrad - http://www.bmw-motorrad.com.hr/com/.../com/en/individual/news/2011/news.jsp&id=2495

Rideapart - https://www.rideapart.com/articles/248625/the-bike-that-saved-bmw-again-online-find-panjo-edition/

CycleWorld - https://www.cycleworld.com/2014/09/...classic-iconic-motorcycles-celebration-event/

R90s

Thanks for the articles. I recently purchased a completely refurbished R90 and have been grinning from ear to ear every time I get on or near that bike!

Thanks for the links to all three articles Kurt. Interesting stuff. One little bit of information which struck me was that an R90s cost more than a BMW 1600 car. I recall that in 1967 an R69S at a dealer in Springfield, MA had a sticker price of $1675. That seemed like a pile of money back then...

John -

Probably about right. Duane Ausherman has a number of price lists on his website. Here's one for 1963 showing the R69S at $1625 on the west coast.

https://w6rec.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1963.jpg

From a website, in 2019 dollars, that $1625 is nearly $13,500.